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Megacon was this past weekend! I redid my Steampunk Princess Leia AGAIN and this time it came out really nice I think. Everyone liked it, and I actually really like it this time. Other people liked the last two I did, but I hated both of them so... yep. Glad I redid it!

I used a much more flowy, synthetic fabric this time. In the past two versions I tried to use very natural fabrics in an effort to give a more Victorian aesthetic to the design, but I found that only resulted in making the dress look a little too stiff, almost crunchy. So this time, I used a fabric much more similar to the fabric that was actually used for Leia's dress in the movie. I also went with a completely different pattern base this time; Butterick pattern 4229.

I found this photo on Flickr of Danny - in his Steampunk Boba Fett with me. Thanks to Kiira-Chan for the photo! - [link]

As soon as I get them I will be uploading more photos from a shoot the group did. But until then, this is the best photo I have found.

*****

I'm requesting critique because I would like to know what you all think I could do to further improve the costume. I am already working on a dark brown faux leather neck corset with brass chain embellishments, an underbust corset in the same faux leather, and a holster/belt combo for the blaster. I would also like for her to have goggles and fingerless gloves. I might also wear the Hand of Glory with this costume from now on. If you are unfamiliar, it is here: [link] In addition to all that I want to get a new pair of boots with brass buckles on them, but until I can afford those these crappy Goodwill finds will do I guess. ^_^

I would be interested in your opinions on any of those options or other things I might add/change. Do you think the costume is easily recognizable as Leia, despite being my own design in the Steampunk style?

Thanks in advance for any advice, guys!

All costuming is by our costuming and fabrication company - Outland Armour.

I'm glad I saw it in photo rather than in person, because I fear that I would have quite frightened you with the intensity of my shocked glee. I am seriously impressed!

(Or should I say, impressed...most impressed? Heh. Sorry.)

Anyway, since you requested critique...I agree that buckle-tastic books would be more Steampunky once you can manage it. I have to side with =seltaya on the Hand of Glory thing, though. Cool as it is, it's not really fitting for Leia. Other than that, I'm just going to have to agree with your proposed additions of gloves and holster and goggles--perch 'em up there right between the buns. (Love the antennae, speaking of.) I'm not sure about all the leather corsetry, though. Might detract from the Leia-iconage, or it might end up working really beautifully. I'd have to see it or at least a sketch of what you're thinking of to know for sure. Right now you're instantly recognizable as Leia, but obscuring the unadorned white of her top with brown leather might take you too far from the source. I'll just wish you luck with that plan and hope it comes off well!

Also, I can't tell from this image if the costume has a hood, but if not, you could add one of those for the required "help my Obi-Wan Kenobi" recitations.

You know, I could add a little detachable hood to it... I might just do that. Thanks for the suggestion and the thoughtful comment!

I am also somewhat uncertain about the corsetry. I had a hip length corset with my original design of this costume, but it didn't look right with the new dress, plus it was extremely difficult to move in due to its length. I think a small waist cincher or underbust corset might work well with this new design, but if it doesn't look right after I make it, I have plenty of other costumes I can wear it with instead, so it won't be any waste of time. ^_^

That's good. Because your stuff looks both awesome and time-intensive in its craftsmanship, so it would really suck to go to waste. But of course, a corset isn't the sort of thing that can really go to WASTE, is it? They're just too cool.

I checked out the earlier version, and while it was also incredible and awesome, I think this one is definitely even more so. Or at least more Leia. I think once you get to the point of awesome that your costumes are at, you can't really have "more" or "less" awesome, just different variations thereof. Anyway, good luck, and I am sure that whatever you do will be incredible!

Wouldn't the Hand of Glory thingy be better suited for a steampunk Luke Skywalker? Don't get me wrong, I love Star Wars and I love Steampunk, and I love what you're doing with it, but if you go too far, she won't really be princess Leia anymore. :/

Well unfortunately it's me who's missing a hand and not our guy that dresses as Luke. xD I have the prop for another costume already, and it's cool looking, so I thought I might wear it with this. But thanks for the feedback. I guess it isn't really all that appropriate for her after all, so that's fine.

far and away better than the half assed Slave Leia, that one has no similarity to the source material. This one does a fine job of calling back those images of a strong damsel that only passingly needs saving.